Globe North Arts
Young theater people honored at North Shore Music Theatre
YOUNG DANVERS THESPIAN: For her appearance as Edwin Drood in the Danvers High School production of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," Emily Higgins won a best leading actress award at the 4th annual Spotlight Awards recently presented by North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly. And, she's getting the chance to participate in the national Jimmy Awards in New York City.
Higgins was one of 15 winners of a Spotlight Award. She and best leading actor David Broyles of Newton South High School were both invited to the Jimmy Awards.
The Spotlight Awards honor the accomplishments of high school students and teachers in musical theater. This year's program included 22 high schools and more than 1,000 students.
Local winners included: Best supporting actor, Johnny Alexis, Pope John XXIII High School in Everett; best supporting actress, Autumn DeLorenzo, Salem High School; best featured performer, Katie Jordan, Danvers High School; best chorus/ensemble, North Reading High School; best choreography, Becca Flint, Wakefield High School; best music direction, Lianne Goodwin, Salem High School; best scenic design, Henry Dembowski, Marblehead High School; best lighting design, Stephanie Simon and Christine Zhou, Andover High School; best costume design, Maureen Tierson Krebs, Burlington High School.
The Jimmy Awards, in New York June 29, are part of the National High School Musical Theater Awards, celebrating student achievement in vocal, dance, and theater performances.
JUDY JUDY JUDY: Prolific Boston performer Kathy St. George performs her one-woman show, "Dear Miss Garland" at the Stoneham Theatre in Stoneham through June 28.
The musical concert traces Judy Garland's life and career from her stage debut to her comeback concert at Carnegie Hall in 1961. It was co-written by St. George and Scott Edmiston, and is directed by Edmiston.
The show features a seven-piece band and songs Garland made famous, including "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "The Trolley Song," and "You Made Me Love You." Performances are Thursdays-Sundays. Visit www.stonehamtheatre.org for times. Tickets are $40, $35 for senior citizens; $20 for students. Call 781-279-2200.
SUMMER COMEDY: Summer Theatre at Salem kicks off its 15th season with "Rumors" by Neil Simon Thursday through July 12 in the Callan Studio Theatre at Salem State College.
"Summer Theatre has become a North Shore tradition," said David Allen George, artistic director. "In a time when all of us are facing economic challenges, I am grateful we can continue to provide residents and visitors of the North Shore professional theater at an accessible price."
George co-stars in the production, along with a cast that includes Brianne Beatrice, Linda Burtt, Val Stanford, and Bryan Kingsley Collins. Peter Zachari directs.
The show runs Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. $20; $15 for students and seniors. Summer Theatre continues with "Footloose," July 16-26, at Mainstage Auditorium. Call 978-542-6290 or visit www.salemstate.edu/arts.
AUTHOR'S CORNER: The Buttonwoods Museum at the Haverhill Historical Society continues its book talks today, 2 p.m., with Ged Carbone discussing his "Nathaniel Greene: A Biography of the American Revolution." $5, with proceeds supporting museum educational programs. . . . David Kinney signs copies of his "The Big One: An Island, an Obsession, and the Furious Pursuit of a Great Fish," Friday, 7 p.m., at The Book Rack in Newburyport. The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist's book is an account of the annual Martha's Vineyard fishing derby.
IN LOCAL GALLERIES: Watercolors by Michael Doran of North Andover are on exhibit at the Bridge Gallery in Newburyport during June. An architect for 40 years, Doran's work combines the fluidity of watercolor with fundamentals of architectural structure. . . . The Newburyport Art Association holds its eighth annual fund-raising auction, "Artful Feast," Saturday. More than 100 pieces of 20th-century and contemporary art, and a few fun non-art items, are available at live and silent auctions. Art can be previewed at www.newburyportart.org or at the association Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event begins with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by auctions at 6 p.m. Admission is $20, $50 with the reception. . . . An exhibit of oil paintings by Arnie Casavant and gouache paintings by Richard Pawlak, which capture Chelsea settings, opens at the Pearl Street Gallery in Chelsea with receptions Friday, 5-9 p.m., and Saturday, 4-8 p.m. It runs through July 19.
Items can be sent to wdkilleen@gmail.com. 
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